• Re: A Blast From The Past -- c.s.i.p.games FAQ (1/2)

    From Ant@21:1/5 to Spalls Hurgenson on Thu Aug 28 21:44:37 2025
    We need to resume this again!


    Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote:

    I miss the old FAQs that used to be posted in newsgroups. They were a convenient way for new users to get up to speed on bits of trivia that
    were commonly understood by other readers of the newsgroup. This was especially important in the Usenet heyday, when new users joined in
    record numbers, and it got really annoying answering the same
    questions over and over again. (Nowadays, with newsgroup populations
    so miniscule, we're glad for ANY traffic, even if its asking something
    we already answered last week ;-)

    Anyway, thanks to the pugleaf archive at https://i2pn2.pugleaf.net/groups/comp.sys.ibm.pc.games/ we can
    (briefly) relive those 'glory days' with a (completely unauthorized) reposting of the comp.sys.ibm.pc.games (note: no *.action yet!) FAQ.
    See what everybody thought was important to know in 1992!


    =========================================

    ADMIN: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games - Frequently Asked Questions - Read
    before posting
    From: warrenApple.COM
    Date: Wed, 13 May 1992 18:00


    Hi all! Here's the new FAQ for comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.
    Could you please review it and give me comments. It's
    basically similar to the r.g.m FAQ. I added
    some ideas for posting guidelines and a description of
    the new group. Someday, I'll update the hints section
    to include U7, and UW. (Or could people mail me
    answers to some of the most common spoilers about those games?
    thanx)

    Lemme know what you think

    Cheers
    Chris

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- comp.sys.ibm.pc.games
    -------------------------
    ----------------------------- FAQ in 4 Parts
    -----------------------------
    ------------------------ Ver 1.0 - Rev date 5/7/92
    ---------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Contents:

    Part 1: General Questions

    The folowing questions are covered in part 1. You can search for
    the coresponding number with your editor if you want to skip to that
    question

    1: What is comp.sys.ibm.pc.games?
    2: What should I be aware of when posting to
    comp.sys.ibm.pc.games?
    3: What are all these other game groups?
    4: What is a Spoiler?
    5: How should I post a spoiler?
    6: How do I FTP?
    7: Where can I download public domain games.
    8: Where can I get hints/solutions to games?
    9: Which sound board should I buy?
    10: Where to get the Sound Site Newsletter?
    11: Where can I get music players/music files/music
    editors/songs/etc. for my pc's music card?
    12: What is the difference between the Sound Blaster and the
    Sound Blaster Pro?
    13: My 386/33 and Sound Blaster seem incompatible. I get garbled
    music when playing Ultima6/SSI games/etc. What's wrong?
    14: Where can I get Infocom games? Can somebody mail me a copy
    (since they're out of business anyway (Is that legal?) What
    happened to them anyway?
    15: Where can I Buy/Get support for games.

    Part 2: Glossary

    Did you ever wonder about the meaning of IMHO, CoAB, LSL5, or any of
    the other acronyms that fly fast and furious in this group, look
    here for info.

    Part 3: FAQ -- Game Bugs

    Compilation of the most common spoiler/bug problems. They are
    arranged by game and are by no means comprehensive but they should
    help people who get stuck in areas of poor game design or just plain difficulty.

    Part 4: FAQ -- Game Spoilers

    Compilation of the most common spoiler/bug problems. They are
    arranged by game and are by no means comprehensive but they should
    help people who get stuck in areas of poor game design or just plain difficulty.


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Administrivia/Soapbox:


    Hello, here is your friendly neighborhood FAQ [person, sacrafical
    lamb, lemming, ??? :]

    Welcome to the new group!

    There are still a few questions I need answers for.
    Please email me additions, corrections, or whatever and I will
    incorporate them in the next version.

    This FAQ will be posted every two weeks or so. For the time being,
    this will crossposted to rec.games.misc for purposes of smoothing
    the transition to the new group.

    Cheers
    Chris Warren (editor without cause)


    ------------------------ Part 1: General Questions
    -----------------------

    1: What is comp.sys.ibm.pc.games?

    A: This group arose out of rec.games.misc. For some time, that group
    had been dominated by discussions of MSDOS games. This has proved
    confusing to new people, and tended to starve out non MSDOS, non
    computer oriented traffic.

    The charter of this group is to provide a forum for the discussion of
    games for the IBM PC or compatible machines. This is not just limited
    to MS-DOS, but extends to OS/2, Windows and anything else which can
    run on an IBM PC compatible.

    For example (not comprehensive):
    o Discussion of upcoming games
    o Discussion of software companies
    o Discussion of current and past games
    o Requests for help
    o Hints and spoilers
    o Personal sales and trading of games. Not for commercial sales
    or piracy. Any risk assumed is your own.
    o Discussion of locations of new demos and ftp sites

    Certain games have their own newsgroup. These include the games: Corewar,Empire, Hack, Moria, and Rogue. See question three for more
    details. Questions pertaining to one of those games should be posted
    to that group, and possibly here if it is of general enough interest.

    Also certain games that come out on the PC tend to migrate to other platforms, so this group can serve as a resource for people with
    questions about those games as well.


    2: What should I be aware of when posting to this
    comp.sys.ibm.pc.games?

    When you post an article there a few things you can do to make life
    easier for others.

    a) Subject Headers: Note the following is voluntary. It is being
    suggested because it will make everyone's life easier if people use
    it. However if you don't use it, the net.police are not going to haul
    you away (or flame you away:)

    Use an all caps prefix followed by a colon to indicate the type of
    message. This allows others to quicky find your article if it
    pertains to a particular topic. Here is a list of common prefixs.
    [feel free to suggest others or changes]

    HELP: Message asking for help in a game.
    Replies to these messages can often contain SPOILERS.
    SPOILER: A message which gives something away about a game and
    doesn't fall under HELP:
    BUG: Message about a bug in a game, how to get arround a
    particular bug, how to get patches to fix bugs, etc.
    TECHHELP: Message asking for help in getting a game to run on
    your machine.
    UPCOMING: Message talking about an upcomming game
    REVIEW: Message reviewing a particular game
    4SALE: Posting for personal sales or trading of games or
    game wanted. Not for commercial sales or piracy.
    Any risk assumed is your own.
    ADMIN: Administrative and group info type stuff.
    The FAQ falls under this category
    MISC: Misceleneous topic
    FLAME: Message whose primary purpose is to vent one's spleen.

    If you don't use a heading, then at least please use an indication
    of the game that you are talking about in the subject line. In any
    event, subject line should be indicative of the contents of the
    message.

    b) Understand about SPOILERS. See question 4.

    c) While it is OK to talk about removing copy protection for
    legitimate owners of games. It is NOT cool to talk about how to
    pirate software, or to post requests for pirated copies of software.
    There sometimes can be a fine line between these two so care should be
    taken with respect to these areas. It is all to easy to start a flame
    war...


    3: What are all these other game groups?

    A: bit.listserv.games-l -- This newsgroup is mostly
    for MS-DOS games, but since many
    people on bitnet have access to
    only bit.listserv.games-l you'll
    see all kinds of posts from Amiga
    questions to Nintendo questions.
    comp.sys.amiga.games -- Amiga specific games
    comp.sys.mac.games -- Macintosh specific games
    rec.arts.int-fiction -- Covers interactive fiction
    (generalized term that includes adventure
    games) from the standpoint of developing
    int-fiction as a new literary genre. For
    implementors of int-fiction more than
    players.
    rec.games.corewar -- Group for Core War, CRobots and other
    games that involve programming.
    rec.games.design -- General game design issues. Currently
    focuses on non computer based roleplaying
    games. Could be of interest to designers
    of CRPGs (Computer Role Playing Games)
    rec.games.frp -- Covers mostly non computer RPGs
    rec.games.mud -- Multi-User Dungeon
    rec.games.mud.lp -- Cool multiplayer Zork type games that
    you can hook onto over the internet.
    You text adventure type should check
    this, if you like the idea of playing
    in a zork game with other people where
    you can help build the universe!
    rec.games.pbm -- Discussion of play-by-mail games.
    rec.games.pinball -- Discussion of pinball, both for
    players of coin-op pinball games
    and pinball collectors.
    rec.games.programmer -- Discussion of the implementation and
    programming of computer games of all
    types.
    rec.games.rpg -- Unofficial newsgroup that is a visceral
    clone of rec.game.frp and a source of
    major irritation [read flamewars] for
    all involved. Be a net.person.good
    and use rec.games.frp :)
    [follow up this topic on alt.flame]
    rec.games.vectrex -- Discussion of the discontinued Vectrex
    vector graphics home game system.
    rec.games.video -- Discussion of dedicated home video
    game systems
    (i.e. Nintendo, Genesis) and the
    dedicated video game market in general.
    Computer games are occasionally
    discussed, especially those for older
    computers (i.e. Commodore 64, Atari
    8-bit, Apple II).
    rec.games.video.arcade -- A group for discussion of arcade games
    (in arcades). They discuss old classics
    as well as current games.

    [ PLEASE add to this list and/or the above descriptions ]


    4: What is a Spoiler?

    A: Anything that gives away information about a game, which could hurt
    a player's enjoyment of a game. It comes from "Spoil the Surprise."
    In this context it usually refers to the solution to a puzzle, or a description of the ending animation sequence for a game. Most people
    get really *pissed* if you post a spoiler with out a SPOILER WARNING.

    Example of a Spoiler [made up by Bryon Daly]
    This comes from *no* game (yet:)

    Hey guys:
    In Kazoos Of Doom, I just used the +3 Accordion Of Boredom to kill the
    guard and solve the riddle. Now I'm stuck on how to get down to the
    next level...


    5: How should I post a spoiler?

    A: At minimum you should include the word SPOILER in your subject
    line and a line in your message that indicates that a Spoiler follows.
    One way to do this is as follows:

    [SPOILER ALERT]
    ^L (control-L)
    24 carriage returns

    <text of spoiler>

    [END SPOILER ALERT]

    Spoilers should definitely include a form-feed character (control-L)
    to avoid 'giving away' the secrets. Use of multiple CR's to support
    readers in window oriented environments like the Mac is recommended in addition to the control-L. Some people argue with justification that newsreaders that don't support control-L as a pause are broken, and
    some people argue that control-L doesn't make sense in a window
    environment, but spoilers should definitely have a ^L included to
    follow usenet conventions - and support workstation readers who may
    have large screens.

    Details of inserting a cntl-L / form-feed depend very much on one's
    system and/or editor - the following advice may not work for everyone
    or even a majority of people.

    On some UNIX systems (maybe others), you have to type the "escape" key
    to enter a control. The escape key is _not_ the esc. You type ^V
    then ^L, and the ^L will be entered into the text. Otherwise, just a
    ^L will clear the screen.


    6: How do I FTP?

    A: [Thanks to John Gordon and Stephen M. Smith for most of what
    follows]

    [We are assuming that you are on a UNIX machine. If you are using
    something else, you are on you own. Sorry :( ]

    Directions

    1) From your system prompt, type "ftp <host-name>", where
    <host-name> is the name of the host machine that you are trying to get
    to.

    Example: "ftp cica.cica.indiana.edu". Note: In some cases you may not
    be able to use the name, you will have to use the IP address number.
    This number is 4 numbers separated by dots, i.e. "135.56.9.2". If you
    have to do it this way, you would type "ftp 135.56.9.2". Presumably
    you can obtain the IP number from the same place you got the
    host-name.

    Or use the /usr/etc/nslookup command to find the IP number from a
    machine name.

    2) When you connect to the host, you will have to enter a login
    and probably a password. Most sites support what is called "Anonymous
    FTP", this means that you enter "anonymous" as your login and then
    enter your real login as you password, i.e. "joe@comp.node.whatever".
    Some sites accept "ftp" as an anonymous login rather than "anonymous".
    I have heard that sysadmins rarely check what you entered for your
    password, but it is courteous to be truthful. NOTE: Most sites don't
    want you using anonymous FTP during prime-time, which is usually
    7am-6pm *local* time.

    Note: Local time can often be hard to determine just from a site's
    name.

    You can use the command "telnet <site> daytime" or, failing that,
    "telnet <site> 13", will give the system time at <site>.

    3) After you have successfully logged on, you can use "cd" and
    "ls", among other commands, to get where you want in the directory
    tree.

    4) Once you are in the correct directory and know what files
    you want, you can use "get" to copy single files, i.e. "get file1.c",
    or "mget" to copy multiple files, i.e. "mget *.zip". NOTE: If the
    files you are copying are not plain-text files, i.e. compressed files,
    binary data files, etc. you will want to set the transfer mode to
    binary. You can do this by entering "type binary". "binary" or
    "tenex" may also work.

    5) If you get stuck, you can type "help" or "?" and get a list of FTP commands that you can use. "man ftp" from your system prompt will
    also be helpful.

    6) If any of the files you copied have a .Z, .shar, and/or .tar
    extensions, you will have to play around with the files a bit before
    you can use them. Check out the man pages for the commands
    "uncompress" (for .Z files), "shar" (for .shar files), and "tar"
    (for .tar files).

    7) Software obtained this way will probably not have viruses, but you
    never know. Be careful out there. Note: I say that "it will probably
    not have viruses" because there is simply more "clean" software out
    there than there is "dirty" software, not because FTP is somehow
    inherently safer.


    Note: [thanks flee@guardian.cs.psu.edu]
    About ftping, what "binary" means is that the remote system is
    compatible with your system, and ftp will send an exact image of the
    file (Type I stands for Image). If, for example, both systems are
    Unix systems, then you can always use binary mode, even for retrieving
    text files. Binary mode will be a little faster, because the systems
    will not have to convert back and forth between local ascii and
    network ascii.

    Type tenex (L 8) is used to talk to DEC-10s and DEC-20s and other
    machines with 9-bit bytes. Machines with 8-bit bytes (which is nearly everyone else) need to specify the "L 8" type to send binary files to
    and from those machines.

    Of the ftp sites you list, I think WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL is the only
    host that needs type tenex.

    Example FTP session with Anotations

    ftp wuarchive.wustl.edu
    Connected to wuarchive.wustl.edu.
    220 wuarchive.wustl.edu FTP server (Version 6.11 Fri Aug 16 07:53:21
    CDT 1991)
    Name (wuarchive.wustl.edu:myname): anonymous [enter "anonymous" or "ftp" for sign-on name]
    331 Guest login ok, send e-mail address as password.
    Password: ["guest" usually works, otherwise put in your real email address for the password]
    230-Welcome, archive user! This is an experimental FTP server. If
    you 230-have any unusual problems, please report them via e-mail to 230-root@wuarchive.wustl.edu. If you do have problems, please try
    using a 230-dash (-) as the first character of your password -- this
    will turn off 230-the continuation messages that may be confusing your
    ftp client.
    230 Guest login ok, access restrictions apply.
    cd /pub/MSDOS_UPLOADS/demos [change to the appropriate directory with the "cd" command, and make sure your directory dividers are "/" not "\"]
    250 CWD command successful.
    ls ["list" the contents of the directory; for a full description use "dir" or "ls -l"]
    200 PORT command successful.
    150 Opening ASCII mode data connection for file list.
    hover.zip
    lemmings.zip
    vectdemo.zip
    swotl.unp.txt.Z
    226 Transfer complete.
    56 bytes received in 0.03 seconds (1.8 Kbytes/s)
    binary [for any file OTHER than a text file, change to binary transfer by entering "binary"; some sites use the word(s) "tenex" or "type L 8" instead of "binary"; to change back to make a text (ASCII) transfer enter the word "ascii"]
    200 Type set to I.
    get hover.zip [enter "get (filename)" to transfer the file to your site from the remote site]
    200 PORT command successful.
    150 Opening BINARY mode data connection for hover.zip (424060 bytes).
    226 Transfer complete.
    local: hover.zip remote: hover.zip
    424060 bytes received in 38 seconds (11 Kbytes/s)
    quit [enter "quit" or "bye" to leave the ftp session]
    221 Goodbye.
    [you are returned to your system prompt]


    7: Where can I download public domain games.

    A: here are someplaces. [please post more]

    risc.ua.edu 130.160.4.7 pub/games/pc PC games[?]
    sumex-aim.stanford.edu 36.44.0.6 ??? Mac Software
    mac.archive.umich.edu 141.211.164.153 ??? Mac Software
    msdos.archive.umich.edu 141.211.164.153 ??? Dos Software
    Note: Last two are the same machine. Can be
    accessed by archive.umich.edu
    ftp.ulowell.edu 129.63.1.1 msdos\Games Apogee games,
    some demos, misc stuff
    grape.ecs.clarkson.edu 128.153.28.12 everywhere MSDOS games
    Note: The stuff at this archive is rather jumbled up,
    and games can be found in many directories


    Here is a place to get demos for games:

    wuarchive.wustl.edu /pub/MSDOS_UPLOADS/demos.
    ftp.ulowell.edu 129.63.1.1 /pub
    /msdos/Games/Demo

    Here are some random ftp sites that may have games

    aisun1.ai.uga.edu language processing, msdos
    iraun1.ira.uka.de ham-radio, msdos, internet
    mdaali.cancer.utexas.edu software, msdos, mac
    msdos.archive.umich.edu 03/01/91 anonymous/odin@pilot.njin.net
    novell.macc.wisc.edu msdos)
    procyon.cis.ksu.edu unix-pc, pd modula2, msdos,
    quiche.cs.mcgill.ca 132.206.51.1 sites, msdos, bible, Hubble
    rusmv1.rus.uni-stuttgart.de msdos, unix, mathematics
    schizo.samsung.com networking sw, msdos, gifs,
    sirius.ucs.adelaide.edu.au modula 3, msdos, aus.aarnet
    vaxb.acs.unt.edu msdos, amiga, midi, network
    wuarchive.wustl.edu 128.252.135.4 comp.sources.x, msdos,
    cc.sfu.ca 128.189.32.250 msdos, mac
    csc2.anu.edu.au 130.56.4.25 sun-fixes, RFCs, NCSA, msdos,
    doc.cso.uiuc.edu 128.174.33.105 msdos (pcsig), mac
    f.ms.uky.edu 128.163.128.6 mac, msdos, unix-pc
    garbo.uwasa.fi 128.214.12.37 msdos, win3, ts-progs, unix,
    grape.ecs.clarkson.edu 128.153.28.129 Opus BBS, msdos, graphics,
    iesd.auc.dk 130.225.48.4 amiga, mac, msdos, myth
    mars.ee.msstate.edu 130.18.64.3 msdos, amiga, mac, atari,
    meap.uta.edu 129.107.2.20 msdos engineering/science sw
    msdos.archive.umich.edu 141.211.165.34 msdos, mac
    mtsg.ubc.ca 137.82.27.1 msdos, unix, amiga, os2
    nic.funet.fi 128.214.6.100 GNU, X11, networking, msdos,
    orc.olivetti.com 129.189.192.20 msdos fax netinfo rfc
    peace.waikato.ac.nz 130.217.64.62 anu-news gnu msdos mac ncsa
    plains.nodak.edu 134.129.111.64 apple, msdos, mac, amiga,
    shasta.scl.cwru.edu 129.22.32.7 smail/pc, msdos, gif, packet
    sparky2.esd.mun.ca 134.153.11.101 NewPet and QuikPlot msdos
    sumex.edu ??? Mac Software
    um.cc.umich.edu 35.1.1.43 msdos, mac, apple, atari
    vega.hut.fi 130.233.200.42 msdos, mac, Kermit, fusion
    vmtecmex.cem.itesm.mx 132.254.1.4 amiga, msdos, gif
    vuwcom.vuw.ac.nz 130.195.2.10 kermit, mac, msdos, vms
    wsmr-simtel20.army.mil 192.88.110.20 msdos, unix, cpm, mac (tenex)


    NOTE: A simply massive ftplist can be downloaded from the Document
    Site:
    typhoon.Berkeley.EDU(128.32.184.254) in pub/Library
    This place has a lot of other documents also.


    8: Where can I get hints/solutions to games?

    A: See Part 3 of the FAQ for Frequently Asked Hints/Bugs or use ftp,
    see below.

    Here are ftp sites [please post more]

    risc.ua.edu 130.160.4.7 -- pub/games/solutions
    This is in the US, and it largely
    duplicates nic.funet.fi
    nic.funet.fi 128.214.6.100 -- pub/misc/games.solutions
    This is in Finland, and it largely
    duplicates risc.ua.edu
    NOTE: when ftp'ing to nic.funet.fi
    you MUST enter your email address as
    the password in order to be able to
    access the appropriate subdirectories!

    There are no walkthroughs on the Internet for the following games.
    [Thanks to Carl Hommel for this info]

    Ultima 4
    Bards Tale II
    Eye of the Beholder (postscript maps available from someplace in Oz)
    Might & Magic I, III (hint books cost $12)
    The SSI "Gold Box" games (hint books cost $15)
    Pool of Radiance
    Curse of the Azure Bonds
    Secret of the Silver Blades
    Pool of Darkness
    Wizardry I - V

    An EotB walkthrough is the *most* frequently asked walkthrough
    question. Earn eternal fame by being the first to write/upload one!

    The following solutions had been uploaded to risc.ua.edu...
    directory /pub/games/solutions
    most of them were written by me...

    sol.elvira - Elvira
    sol.elvira2 - Elvira II
    sol.eob2 - Eye of the Beholder II
    sol.geisha - Geisha (not done by me)
    sol.iceman - Codename : ICEMAN
    sol.kol - Knights of Legend
    sol.lostinla - Les Manley II - Lost in L.A.
    sol.martianmemorandam - Martian Memorandum
    sol.mm3 - Might & Magic III
    sol.monkey - Secret of Monkey Island
    sol.monkey2 - Secret of Monkey Island II
    sol.uukrul - The Dark Heart of Uukrul
    sol.willy - The Adventures of Willy Beamish
    sol.wizardry6 - Bane of the Cosmic Forge (not done by me)
    sol.zyca - Legend of the Zyca

    9: Which sound board should I buy?

    A: Read the sound site newsletter, which will tell you everything you
    ever wanted to know about sound*
    (* but were afraid to ask:)

    10: Where to get the Sound Site Newsletter?

    A: The Sound Site Newsletter is posted monthly or bimonthly to comp.sys.ibm.pc.games, comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc, and comp.sys.mac.misc
    under the subject heading "Sound Newsletter #?". If possible,
    obtain a copy from one of those newsgroups.

    The editor for the newsletter is David Komatsu; he may be reached at
    one of the following three email addresses: sound@ccb.ucsf.edu, davek@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu, and komatsu@aludra.usc.edu. For back
    issues of the Sound Site Newsletter, obtain the latest copy and follow
    the directions given in it.

    11: Where can I get music players/music files/music
    editors/songs/etc. for my pc's music card?

    A: Read the Sound Site Newsletter.


    12: What is the difference between the Sound Blaster and the Sound
    Blaster Pro?

    A: [??? will this be in the Sound Site Newsletter?]


    13: My 386/33 and Sound Blaster seem incompatible. I get garbled
    music when playing Ultima6/SSI games/etc. What's wrong?

    A: On some fast machines there are timing problems with certain
    game's software. Try turning off the cache or lowering the CPU speed.

    14: Where can I get Infocom games? Can somebody mail me a copy (since they're out of business anyway (Is that legal?) What happened to
    them anyway?

    A: The Lost Treasures of Infocom is now available at Electronic
    Boutiques and other fine stores everywhere. $59.95 list, EB price is
    $54.95. 20 Infocom games included - all the Zork series, HHGTTG, etc.
    Whatta deal - less than $3.00 a game!

    [The following author says he's not an infocom expert, so there may be
    some mistakes]

    Infocom went out of business and was purchased by Activision. It
    currently titles a line of non-text games (Battletech, etc). The
    widespread opinion of the net holds that copying of the games is still illegal/immoral, but there is good news: the latest word is that
    Activision is planning to release a bundle containing almost all the
    infocom games very soon.

    [Nathan Torkington writes]

    Infocom were bought by Mediagenic, and are now simply a label under
    which games are released. The most recent Infocom releases are
    graphical adventures, but Mediagenic have plans to release the classic Infocom text adventure games around Christmas.

    UK readers will be happy to learn that the games are available from
    Virgin Mastertronic (a budget software house in the US). I'll include
    a copy of my personal FAQ on how to get the games from Mastertronic.

    I have just a read a rumour that Mediagenic are bankrupt, but this is
    still *very* strongly a rumour. I will let you know should I hear
    more (I'm sure you're just *fascinated* :-). Should Mediagenic go
    under, I will spend mucho $$$ and ring them and find out what plans
    are in action for the Infocom label.

    Further to my post of a while back, Douglas Adams' "Hitchhiker's
    Guide to the Galaxy" adventure game is being reissued by Virgin
    Mastertronic. Their advertisement in the Aug/Dept 1991 "XS NRG"
    magazine (hey, it's not mine! - I wouldn't buy something with that
    tacky a title) shows the covers to
    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
    Zork I
    PlanetFall
    Wishbringer
    Leather Goddesses of Phobos
    Zork II
    Zork III
    Enchanter
    Sorcerer
    Deadline

    and the text reads:
    Ten good reasons to use your imagination
    Classic infocom interactive fiction is back -- at an
    irresistible price.
    Available on PC, Amiga & ST : #9.99 (# == British pound)
    INFOCOM from Mastertronic
    For further information please contact:
    Customer Services
    Virgin Mastertronic Ltd
    16 Portland Road
    London W11 2LA
    Tel: 071 - 727 8070

    I hope this helps. Remember that if you write to them asking how to
    order the game, it would be a good idea to let them know how much you
    enjoy interactive fiction (text adventures). That way they may
    (re?)release more ..

    15: Where can I buy/get support for games?

    A: "Where to get..."

    Electronic Boutique has a toll-free order line. (800) 800-0032.
    [AmEx/MasterCard/VISA, personal check, Money Order].

    CompuAdd has a toll-free order line. (800) 627-1967.
    [Discover/MasterCard/VISA, certified check, Money Order].

    Egghead has toll-free order line. (800) 347 5400.
    [I assume major credit cards. Check? Money Order?]

    "Game Maker Support"

    A number of game companies have BBS systems that their customers
    can call to leave technical support questions, get updated game
    versions, find out product information, etc. The ones I've
    signed on to in the last month are:

    Accolade (408) 296-8800
    Microprose (301) 785-1841
    Origin (512) 328-8402
    Sierra (209) 683-4463 (*)

    (*) Hints for most of their games available online!

    Other useful BBS numbers:

    DAK (are we talking deals???) (818) 715-7153
    Logitech (mice, etc) (415) 795-0408


    Thanks sgil@netcom.netcom.com (Steve Gilbert) for this info

    -------------------------- Part 2: Glossary
    -------------------------------

    Note: Any time I use series in a description, it means that the word
    is usually followed by a number (sometimes a roman numeral)
    i.e. KQ5 or KQ V is King's Quest 5, the fifth installment of Kings
    Quest.


    Adlib Adlib -- A brand of Sound Card
    AD&D Advanced Dungeons & Dragons -- See rec.games.frp
    AG Adlib Gold -- Fancer version of Adlib that competes
    better with Sound Blaster
    BotCF Bane of the Cosmic Forge (Wizardry VI)
    -- Part of the Wizardy series by Sir Tech
    BT Bards Tale -- A fantasy roleplaying series
    from Electronic Arts
    BTW By The Way -- Expression used by net.people
    CGA Color Graphics Adapter -- Old style graphics
    adapter from IBM. This was used for
    ancient games [I think it was 320x200
    with 4 colors]
    CoAB Curse of the Azure Bonds -- Computer based AD&D
    game from SSI

    [continued in next message]

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